Control Engineering articles from June 2006

Control Engineering archives from June 2006

Off site--so you don't have to be.(Editorial)
June 1, 2006... A trip off-site or out of town on business can be a rare treat, an enjoyable adventure, or a grind that takes you away from your real work. Yes, for those who do it occasionally, it's a nice chance to learn something new. But I suspect we all...

All-in-one controller fits in palm.(product EXCLUSIVE)(XLe Series Operator Control Station )(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... XLe Series Operator Control Station (OCS) all-in-one controller is just 3.75-in. sq to fit in tight machine panels. Featuring a graphical operator interface and expandable I/O and networking capabilities, it also supports the latest standard in...

'Out-of-the-box' tracking, tracing.
June 1, 2006... Tecnomatix FactoryLink Traceability module tracks and traces key production events on serialized products and provides full bi-directional genealogy and analysis functions. Intended for automated environments, the product can be added easily to...

As hair turns gray and brains drain ...(electronic worksheets in use)
June 1, 2006... Most American engineers are north of their 40s, and the U.S. is largely failing to replace these boomers as they retire. For better or worse, other parts of the world are picking up the slack: for example, more than 600,000 engineers graduated...

Optocouplers, [I.sup.2]C bus basics.(Philips Semiconductors develops digital signal processors and integrated circuit buses)
June 1, 2006... The inter-IC bus ([I.sup.2]C bus), a serial digital signal communication protocol developed by Philips Semiconductors, is being used in an increasing number of applications, including consumer appliances, communications equipment, and...

Test stands benefit from direct torque control.
June 1, 2006... Rigs constructed to test rotating machines like gears, engines, and complete cars require high accuracy and dynamic load control. Torque control capability in ac motors that drive the test stands is particularly useful for newer, complex...

Virtualization: playing well with others.
June 1, 2006... One thing that we all learn in kindergarten is to play well with others. Unfortunately that is often a lesson that vendors of many manufacturing IT applications failed to learn. Manufacturing applications are usually certified to run only on...

ISA-SP100, HART work on wireless.(NEWS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Research Triangle Park, NC -- Several wireless standardization efforts continue. The ISA (Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society) Wireless Systems for Automation Standards committee (ISA-SP100) is working to define needs and guide...

New control panel requirements.(NEWS)
June 1, 2006... Northbrook, IL -- Panel designers and builders, machine builders, end-users, system integrators, equipment movers and installers, as well as inspectors are among those working with control panels differently as of April 25, 2006. That is when...

Main obstacles to adoption of product lifecycle management software.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... New features such as predefined workflows, data configuration templates, and industry-specific functionality have enabled small--to medium-size manufacturers to overcome three main challenges to implementing product lifecycle management (PLM)...

Asset management adopts holistic approach.(NEWS)
June 1, 2006... Boston, MA -- Companies with comprehensive asset management programs use multiple programs of this type to improve daily performance and ensure the ongoing health and longevity of mission-critical equipment. Rationalizing data across all...

System integrator of the year sought.(NEWS)
June 1, 2006... Oak Brook, IL -- System integrators are invited to apply for the first-ever Control Engineering System Integrator of the Year Awards. Deadline for application is Aug. 1, 2006. The goal of the contest is to help end-users identify and evaluate...

ISA, OMAC, WBF federate.(formation of Automation Federation)(Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society; open, modular architecture control;)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Research Triangle Park, NC -- The Automation Federation has been created by an agreement among ISA (Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society) OMAC, and WBF. The three charter organizations plan to retain separate identities while...

How to select a magnetic switch technology.(NEWS)
June 1, 2006... Chickasha, OK -- Because no magnetic switch technology best fits every application, Hermetic Switch Inc. and technology consulting firm TekMark Growth Partners analyzed four magnetic switch technologies. Reed (electromechanical) switches do...

ABB conference: inspiration from space mission.(ABB Automation World 2006 Users' Conference & Exhibition)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
June 1, 2006... Houston, TX -- Discussions of computer failures in space were part of the ABB Automation World 2006 Users' Conference & Exhibition here, May 8-11. Attendance exceeded prior event numbers by more than 45%, totaling more than 2,500. Customers...

Feedback: bias built into many countries.(NEWS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Several subscribers commented on "Think Again: Grow past 'not made here' bias." (CE, p.35, April 2006, www.controleng.com/archive), which suggested that undue national patriotism in product selection "encourages less-competitive firms to not...

Packaging guidelines OK'd.(OMAC Packaging Workgroup approves new Packaging Machinery PackAL guidelines)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Research Triangle Park, NC -- OMAC Packaging Workgroup (OPW) approved new PackAL guidelines, which will be added to the OPW Guidelines for Packaging Machinery Automation. PackAL is an application library of common software elements used in...

Invensys demos integrated enterprise control.(InFusion enterprise control system)
June 1, 2006... Boston, MA -- A simulation based on actual customers integrating 18 plant-level and enterprise-level applications from six vendors was the centerpiece of an enterprise control system demonstration from Invensys here in May. To launch its...

Feedback: enclosure standards don't correlate.(NEWS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The table "NEMA and IEC enclosure comparison" shown in "Enclose as Needed" (CE, p. 58, March 2006; www.controleng.com/archive) could be construed by readers as a direct one-to-one correlation and interchangeability from IEC IP [ingress...

BMW names B & R exclusive panel supplier.(B and R Industrial Automation Corp.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Atlanta, GA -- BMW AG has named B & R Industrial Automation Corp. exclusive supplier of Microsoft Windows CE-based operator panels. Within the framework of the agreement, B & R is to supply panel PCs from its Power Panel series to BMW's...

Siemens buys Controlotron.(Siemens Energy and Automation Inc.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Alpharetta, GA -- Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. agreed to acquire the assets and business of Controlotron Corp. for an undisclosed amount. Controlotron manufactures non-intrusive ultrasonic flow measurement devices. Siemens says it...

Motion selection tool claims expert intelligence.(NEWS)
June 1, 2006... Inglewood, CA -- ComponentSelector at MotionInfo.com is billed by its developers as "the first motion-intelligent expert search system to provide ranked results for users needing electric-motor-based products." ComponentSelector allows...

U.S. DOE awards CyboSoft grant.(NEWS)
June 1, 2006... Rancho Cordova, CA -- A U.S. Department of Energy grant goes to CyboSoft for research and development of "Intelligent Control of Advanced Power Generation Systems Using Model-Free Adaptive Control Technology" (MFA), the company says. The work...

By the numbers.(business relocation management)(B.F. Skinner Foundation's services)(Safety and Health Management eTools)
June 1, 2006... 7 books are published by the B.F. Skinner Foundation; a famous Skinner quote is: "The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do." Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904-1990) was a U.S. psychologist. www.bfskinner.org 2nd look,...

Grow with automation.(editorial)
June 1, 2006... A major, well-planned automation expansion increases production a whole lot and adds just a few more highly trained personal. Productivity and throughput increase substantially. Manufacturers across the U.S. are doing it, and you can benefit...

Rx for instrumentation: here's a seven-part prescription for keeping process devices operating optimally. Maintenance is vital, but sometimes the best course of action is no action at all.
June 1, 2006... Plant productivity depends heavily on the condition of process instrumentation, from sensors and transmitters for flow, level, pressure, or temperature to analytical instruments and valves. What's needed to keep field instrumentation healthy...

Power management balances performance and consumption: dynamic frequency and voltage scaling, clock gating, and 'low-power modes' are some ongoing methods to cut power consumption in chips and microcontrollers, with newer ways in the works.(CHIP POWER)
June 1, 2006... An ever-increasing number of transistors and more performance being squeezed into chip-level products (and embedded microprocessors) of shrinking physical size are unmasking a critical power consumption issue. Power usage rather than operating...

CNC programming: importing machining directions from CAD programs and exporting commands to CNC hardware is one way to save time and effort in next-generation tools.(ACHIEVING EFFICIENCIES)(Computer Numerically Controlled)
June 1, 2006... The machine tool world is working with a 50-year-old programming paradigm (based in G code) that needs an update to take advantage of interoperability capabilities to allow easier data exchange with other software, rather than re-entering or...

Functional specifications: get what you like or like what you get ... tools that help develop clean functional specifications can lead to more success in automation/control implementations.(PROJECT DOCUMENTATION)
June 1, 2006... If you don't know what you require and don't document it, you're going to get whatever someone thinks you require. Process engineers sometimes mistakenly believe control engineers should be able to develop automation/control logic based on the...

Process automation systems: appropriateness, use of supplied features and capabilities make progress as systems improve. Some PAS features are under-utilized because of lack of on-site personnel.(PRODUCT RESEARCH)
June 1, 2006... Process automation systems (PASs) are big-ticket items. Whether they are part of new plant construction, an upgrade to an existing facility, or a long-planned plant expansion, deciding how to choose and implement them takes time, money, and...

Small form factor dc/ac inverters.(PRODUCTS & software)
June 1, 2006... S and SE Series inverters feature small form factors and come in open frame and vacuum encapsulated versions. S Series dc/ac inverter can power up to 2 cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), measures 0.62-in. wide x 2.87-in. long x 0.38-in....

Upgraded panel computers.(PRODUCTS & software)
June 1, 2006... panelLink industrial panel computers have been upgraded to offer Intel Pentium M and Celeron M CPU options. Systems also feature thermal redesigns to better facilitate airflow and heat dissipation. Upgrades reportedly extend usage of the...

Real-time graphics, .Net architecture.(PRODUCTS & software)
June 1, 2006... KX Edge real-time graphics software, based on Microsoft's .Net architecture, lets companies in almost any industry create and use complex graphical user interfaces for command-and-control applications. Product seamlessly connects a variety of...

Digital servo drives.(PRODUCTS & software)
June 1, 2006... Compax3 family of industrial high-performance all-digital servo drives welcomes two new higher-powered additions. New power levels round out the lower-voltage input option (up to 230 V ac) by increasing current output to 10 A and 15 A rms. The...

Serial-to-Ethernet connectivity: device server, protocol bridge combine to make information accessible.(INSIDE FOOD & BEVERAGE)
June 1, 2006... A leading beverage producer wanted to track and improve its production output by displaying up-to-the-minute production information on the factory floor. This capability was required to make the data accessible to production managers and...

Dynamic braking precisely portions cheese: specialty cheese-cutting machine and compact ac drive combine to deliver accurate product sizing for cheese wholesaler.(INSIDE FOOD & BEVERAGE)(Northwood Food Machinery)(Tippagral SA )
June 1, 2006... Integral dynamic braking precisely portions blocks of cheese weighing up to 85 kg (187 lb), dramatically cutting the time for the task and giving accurate and consistently repeatable results. Control and accuracy of moving the blocks is...

Winemaking gets integrated: combining high-volume processing with the art of winemaking, 'collaborative development' delivers an environmentally friendly plant.(INSIDE FOOD & BEVERAGE)(Company overview)
June 1, 2006... Yalumba is Australia's oldest family-owned winery and one of the country's largest wine exporters. Its Angaston winery was founded in 1849 in South Australia's Barossa Valley. In recent years, demand for Yalumba wines has grown to exceed the...

Connection system for food, pharma apps.(Food & Beverage products)
June 1, 2006... Stainless steel version of the BradConnectivity Ultra-Lock Connection System is designed to meet the sanitary requirements of the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Threadless connection system quickly and securely connects sensors...

Filling, packaging machinery.(Food & Beverage products)
June 1, 2006... The 4963 filler upgrade is available for a large variety of filling and packaging equipment, including machinery that puts product in bags, boxes, tubs, totes, drums, or bulk bags. Highly integrated, simple to use controls and new components...

Panels for hygiene industry.(Food & Beverage products)
June 1, 2006... PC-based displays with touchscreens and keyboards, operator panels with simple text displays, and thin clients for remote visualization over Ethernet are among clean and hygienic visualization offerings for the bottling, food, and...

Ultrasonic sensors, level measurement.(Food & Beverage products)
June 1, 2006... USR Series ultrasonic level sensors are intended for short-range level measurement in process and industrial applications. Five models are available, each supplied with a factory-set sensing range so that no calibration is needed....

Enhanced pressure regulator valves.(Food & Beverage products)
June 1, 2006... Enhanced line of pressure regulating valves includes an improved molded design for Model Type V185 and Model Type V186. In addition, Model Type V182 features a new valve body and internal design that incorporates a new piston/o-ring design said...

Thin-beam load cells measure a little.(Food & Beverage products)
June 1, 2006... LCL Series thin-beam load cells are said to be well suited for small load measurements. LCL Series, which measures force or weight, handles many applications found in medical instrumentation, process controls, robotics, and other high-volume...

Wireless network streamlines embroidery, monogramming: mass customization is the latest in commercial sewing; wireless connections help boost productivity 15% and cut errors by 90% over previous methods.(INSIDE MACHINES)
June 1, 2006... Applying logos and other designs on shirts, jackets, caps, and accessories has become an enormous industry, with sports teams, theme parks, and corporations doing their best to advance their brands through apparel. There's also movement toward...

Convert power with digital signal controllers: digital control of power conversion circuits, traditionally accomplished with analog control circuits, offers benefits including improved performance.(INSIDE MACHINES)
June 1, 2006... A full digital power conversion system includes digital power control and digital power management. In digital control, feedback or feedforward loops that regulate power-system output are directly controlled by a digital signal controller...

Put the brakes on proprietary controls: press brake manufacturer Accurpress designs flexible, PC-based control systems with 'on-demand' customization capability.(INSIDE MACHINES)
June 1, 2006... You don't have to be a Fortune 500 CEO to know that few companies with "take it or leave it" strategies can succeed. As the number-one press brake manufacturer by machine volume in North America, Accurpress understands customer needs and isn't...

Embedded flash microcontrollers.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... STR910F Series of embedded flash microcontrollers (MCUs) combines Ethernet connectivity, an ARM9E processor core, and large embedded SRAM and flash memories in a general-purpose flash microcontroller family. Line is said to create new...

Software for servo mechanisms.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Collection of 7 programs is designed to facilitate the design of servo mechanisms. Software uses closed-form solutions with very little iteration so that computations are quick and accurate, an important factor for transfer functions that...

Prox sensor has 5-mm range.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Line of mini-inductive proximity sensors now includes 4- and 5-mm unshielded versions. Devices are said to allow the use of significantly smaller sensors that save space without sacrificing sensing range. Applications include small-part...

Servo control system.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... XtraDrive servo system features the company's patented NCT servo control technology said to solve problems with system flexibility, tuning, and compatibility associated with high-precision motion systems while streamlining overall system costs....

Managed Ethernet switches.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Magnum 6K-Series managed Ethernet switches now includes integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports to provide support devices such as video surveillance cameras in power utility substations and other industrial applications where security or...

Flat-panel monitor has direct-VGA port.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... FMP-3120G color, flat-panel monitor for industrial applications is an SVGA TFT LCD with high luminance of up to 350 cd/[m.sup.2]. LCD backlight has a life expectancy of 50,000 hours. Aluminum front panel is NEMA 4/IP65 compliant. Hard anodic...

Power, communication cables.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Madison industrial and factory automation cable line has been expanded to include additional designs, technologies, and options for power, encoder, communication, and serial interfaces. Advanced cable construction technologies are said to...

Power distribution blocks.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... PDB Series power distribution blocks have SCCRs to 200 kA rating and are listed to UL 1953 to replace low-rated power distribution blocks and achieve higher assembly short-circuit current ratings. The 2005 NEC requires industrial control panels...

8-segment fieldbus power system.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... F800 Series fieldbus power system is a high-density, redundant power supply designed to achieve low per-segment cost and high packing density in large fieldbus installations. It uses 8-channel power supply modules in a redundant format on a...

Vibrating liquid level switches.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Resonator line of vibrating liquid level switches is intended for chemical and petrochemical applications, including high-viscosity environments to 20,000 cP. Product family includes RS80 vibrating liquid level switch and RS85 multi-option...

Design, simulation software adds power.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Newest version of Automation Studio design, simulation, and documentation software for fluid power and electrical projects optimizes workflow from system design to maintenance, service, and training. It puts advanced engineering capabilities,...

Intelligent controllers, indicators.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Digital controllers and indicators can be used in nearly any industrial measurement and control application in the petrochemical, power generation, laboratory, and manufacturing industries. Offering measurements for applications using ac- and...

Direct digital synthesizer.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Model 1940A 400 MHz, four-channel direct digital synthesizer in a 1U rack-mountable case features four independent 1940A frequency low-noise sine-wave outputs that can be individually set to any value between 200 kHz and 400 MHz with a...

Programmable switching amplifier.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... PSA 3/1 programmable switching amplifier is an overload protection and weighing system usable in many applications, including EOT cranes, bridge cranes, container cranes, steel mill cranes, and more. Flexible design incorporates all...

Control cabinet PC is compact.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... C6920 and C6925 industrial PCs for control cabinet installation are robust and ultra-compact, and feature an aluminum housing. They are equipped with the latest processors; the 3 1/2-in. motherboard is suitable for Intel Celeron M or Pentium M...

Temperature sensing systems.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Thermal Vial temperature sensing systems provide accurate measurement and documentation of freezing, process, and storage methodology. Designed for building automation markets, the system builds on existing Minco sensors, adding such options as...

Bidirectional enterprise integration.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Proficy Enterprise Connnector 1.5 provides bidirectional enterprise integration between Proficy and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP. An extension of Proficy Plant Applications integrated suite of production management...

Weld-immune proximity sensors.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Rhino style weld-immune inductive proximity sensors are available in 20-mm flush mountable and 40-mm non-flush mount sensing ranges. Devices feature a weld-slag-resistant sensing face and all metal housing and mounting for maximum application...

Extended memory microcontrollers.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... MSP43FG461x Series of microcontrollers is the first to incorporate MSP430x architecture with an extended 1 MB memory model, allowing access to 16 times more memory than the 64 KB available today. Extended addressing modes designed for the large...

Embedded wireless module.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Wi.USB-DTS embedded wireless module is an FCC-approved desktop version of the company's Wi.232DTS module that allows quick PC connectivity to a WI.232DTS network. USB-powered module allows robust, high-performance wireless products to be built...

Application development module for 'C'.(Products & software)
June 1, 2006... Application Development Modules for ControlLogix (MVI56-ADM for serial and MVI56-ADMNET for Ethernet) let users develop and deploy "C" applications for the Allen-Bradley processor. Single-slot solution is suitable for many applications where...

Design guide for optical encoders.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... This Design and Specifying guide provides a comprehensive summary of optical encoders and their accessories. The guide includes design examples with special attention to operation in extreme environments. Absolute and incremental encoders,...

Full-line signal conditioning catalog.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... 240 page catalog of Instrument Class[R] industrial signal conditioning, data acquisition and data communication products that protect and condition critical signals from RTDs, Thermocouples, Load Cells and other sensor devices. Includes DIN...

Innovations 2006.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... B & R's Innovations 2006 brochure presents the latest products and trends for machine automation. Whether you are looking for the most compact I/O system, a fan-free IPC solution or simply want to stay informed. Get your free copy today. B & R...

Rexroth modular automation solutions.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... Rexroth's automation components and systems allow a single architecture or development environment to be adapted to a broad range of flexible needs. Included are motors, drives, controls, HMIs, I/O, and software that provide drive-, PLC-, PC-,...

ELPRO high-speed industrial-strength wifi.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... The 240U-E provides reliable and secure high-speed wireless Ethernet across a broad range of applications. * Access Point * Bridge * Repeater * Client/Station * Router All in the one unit with a Lifetime Warranty!...

Stainless steel CoolPoint[TM] flowmeter.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... Universal Flow Monitors, Inc. introduces CoolPoint[TM] vortex shedding flowmeters with 316 SS bodies for corrosion resistance. Easy-to-use meters provide consistent flows of water, coolant and water/glycol mixes. Product line includes both...

M-5000 Massasonic[TM] ultrasonic sensors.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... Measurement Distances-4 inches to 20 feet, Reliable and Easy to Use, Analog Plus Dual Setpoints, 5% Discount to First-time Buyers. E-mail: m5000@massa.com Phone: 781-749-4800 x 117 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Massa Products...

AutomationDirect[R] Catalog.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... AutomationDirect's complimentary catalog and new addendum offer over 5500 industrial automation products for a wide range of applications. The 1750-page catalog features product descriptions, technical data, and photos for PLCs, AC...

Precision encoders.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... EPC's 76-page full color catalog features the full line of Accu-Coder[TM] Brand incremental and absolute encoders, designed to meet a wide variety of industrial positioning, counting, motion and motor control needs. Expert cross reference...

Power & energy measurement transducers and instrumentation.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... Ohio Semitronics has the broadest range of electrical transducers, hall-effect current sensors, current transformers and energy measurement instrumentation available from any single source supplier. Whether your application is AC, DC,...

Free 2006 NI Measurement and Automation Catalog.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... Featuring new product information, comparison charts, key specifications, and information on: * NI LabVIEW 8 Distributed Intelligence * PCI Express M Series * PXI Flexible-Resolution Digitizer * USB Data Acquisition Modules...

AC Power Distribution & Control System.(PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE)
June 1, 2006... AC Power Distribution & Control Systems domestic/int'l configuration systems; OEM's & system integrators. Product is rack mounted & provides: circuit breaker protection, EMI/RFI filtering, spike/surge protection, remote power on/off,...

A look inside light curtains.(back to BASICS)
June 1, 2006... Safety light curtains are an advanced method of safeguarding personnel around many hazardous machines. They offer freedom, flexibility, and reduced operator fatigue when compared with traditional guarding methods, such as mechanical barriers,...